A37035:1618
A commentary upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…
A commentary upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the series of the several prophecies contained in that book, deduced according to their order and dependence on each other; the periods and succession of times, at, or about which, these prophecies, that are already fulfilled, began to be, and were more fully accomplished, fixed and applied according to history; and those that are yet to be fulfilled, modestly, and so far as is warrantable, enquired into. Together with some practical observations, and several digressions, necessary for vindicating, clearing, and confirming many weighty and important truths. Delivered in several lectures, by that learned, laborious, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, James Durham, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. To which is affixed a brief summary of the whole book, with a twofold index, one of the several digressions, another of the chief and principal purposes and words contained in this treatise.A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the series of the several prophecies contained in that book, deduced according to their order and dependance on each other; the periods and succession of times, at, or about which, these prophecies, that are already fulfilled, began to be, and were more fully accomplished, fixed and applied according to history; and those that are yet to be fulfilled, modestly, and so far as is warrantable, enquired into. Together with some practical observations, and several digressions, necessary for vindicating, clearing, and confirming many weighty and important truths. Delivered in several lectures, by that learned, laborious, and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, James Durham, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. To which is affixed a brief summary of the whole book, with a twofold index, one of the several digressions, another of the chief and principall purposes and words contained in this treatise.
Edinburgh: printed by Christopher Higgins, 1658
AN EXPOSITION Of the BOOK of the REVELATION. › Lecture 1 › Chapter 7
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the second question, to wit, What is to be understood by this seal, or sealing, mentioned? We say, 1. That it is not any visible or discernible character, as to men, which is intended. But 2. some separating and differencing thing, whereby, as to the effect, these who are sealed, are distinguished from others that are not separated. In a word, the scope is to show, that every one of Gods own shall be as certainly kept free from the hurt of that storm, as if there were a visible mark put upon every one of them. This manner of speech, is borrowed, 1. From Kings that seal with their own Seal what they would not have touched. 2. From the story, Exod. 12.13. where God, being to separate Israel from the Egyptians in respect of the plague of smiting the first-born, did first separate them by a mark (as it were) upon the posts of their doors, whereby His care of them was signified, and their faith of immunity from that plague strengthened; and accordingly the effect followed, none that were marked were hurt; so shall it be here. 3. It may look unto Ezek. 9. where a story of sealing some, not unlike to this, is recorded. In sum, it is to show the security of the Elect under that storm: Which we conceive especially to flow from these two, 1. From Gods decree of Election. 2. Gods care and providence in the executing of His decree of Election, so as the saddest trial is limited in its commission in respect of the Elect, and they are looked unto and sustained under it. This agreeth well with Mat. 24.24. where preservation from error is derived from Gods Election; and ⟨p. 381⟩that which is called sealing here, we take it to be the same which is expressed (Chap. 13. and 8.) by writing in the Lambs book of life mentioned there for the same scope as this is here. It agreeth also with 2 Tim. 2.19. where the Lords foundation (which is His Election) is said to be sealed, because of the sureness and unalterableness thereof.
To the second question, to wit, What is to be understood by this seal, or sealing, mentioned? We say, 1. That it is not any visible or discernable character, as to men, which is intended. But 2. some separating and differencing thing, whereby, as to the effect, these who are sealed, are distinguished from others that are not separated. In a word, the scope is to shew, that every one of Gods own shall be as certainly keeped free from the hurt of that storm, as if there were a visible mark put upon every one of them. This manner of speech, is borrowed, 1. From Kings that seal with their own Seal what they would not have touched. 2. From the story,